With a history going back to 1976, the Origin Program offers an unparalleled experience of traditional Japanese arts, taught in such a way that participants can appreciate the spiritual wisdom underlying the arts. Through hands-on practice of a selection of core arts in succession, guests are able to look past the differences of each art form and understand the principles essential to them all.
Our arts programs have been developed and honed over thirty years, working closely with leading masters to provide the richest possible experiences for our guests. The programs we offer in Kyoto and Tokyo include a choice of the following arts:
 Calligraphy |
 Tea Ceremony |
 Waraku Martial Arts |
| Noh Drama | Calligraphy |
| Kyogen | Waraku Martial Arts |
| Tea Ceremony | Zen Meditation |
| Chabana Flowers | Pottery |
| Archery | Nihon-buyo dance |
| Shinto Misogi Ritual | Aikido |
All Origin programs are individually tailored to the needs and interests of our guests. Below are a few examples of program options:
| Half Day Course | For visitors with a busy itinerary, our half-day programs are designed to fit within four hours (with an optional catered o-bento lunch). After an orientation to traditional Japanese culture, students study Tea Ceremony or Calligraphy, plus one other art form. For groups on a very tight schedule, we will offer programs with an orientation and just one art form. We recommend that visitors experience at least two art forms in order to get the full benefit of the Origin program. |
| Full Day Course | For visitors with time for a full day program, we focus on four core arts. Generally, these will include Tea Ceremony, Noh Drama or Kyogen, Calligraphy, and Martial Arts. Ideally, a full day program will culminate with a private party and performance for the group on Iori’s Noh stage, bringing together all of the elements that have been studied that day. |
| Two Day Course | This is the ideal program for groups with time, allowing guests to study the four core arts plus two additional arts: such as Kyogen comic theater and chabana flowers in Kyoto, or kyudo archery and nihon buyo dance in Tokyo. The two day schedule also allows more time for the orientation and question and answer sessions, and as part of the program we can organize private temple and shrine visits with talks on Zen Buddhism or Shinto, and instruction in zazen meditation. |
| Longer Programs | For groups wishing to go deeper over a longer time period, Origin can arrange comprehensive “cultural” itineraries encompassing hands-on study of a range of the traditional arts, private master performances, special shrine and temple visits, authentic geisha dinner parties, and much more. |
Iori and Origin plan to offer pre-scheduled subscription programs to our machiya guests, but currently all of our programs are offered on a private, personalized basis. As a result, we do not publish a pricing menu for the Origin programs and itineraries - each is tailored to the guests' needs, and quotations are provided on request, based on program content and the masters booked.
For more information, or to book a program, tour or event, please contact Origin Japan director Bodhi Fishman at the details given below.
Origin Japan(Iori Co.)
web: www.origin-japan.com
